Pre-ordering is now closed. Thank you to all who have supported the making of this album! Look for James' new release in stores and online this Summer.

Hi folks,

It's never been easy for me to ask for help. I always try to make things look easy even when they're not and I always try to fix things before anyone sees they're broken. But now I have an equation that can't be solved without your help: a brand-new album ready to record but not enough in the coffers to do it right.

In the early days I recorded albums in my dorm room or in my parents' basement. I remember barely scraping together $1,200.00 to press the first run of Playing It Like It Isn't... in 2002 (wow, that feels like a lifetime ago!). I did the recording, mixing, mastering and artwork myself. These days, releasing a CD includes expenses like studio time, mixing, guest artists, artwork, video, posters, advertising and more. The cost of releasing an album
– and doing it right
– is about 10 times what it was in those early days!

So, this is where I call on all the friends and music-lovers I've met in my many travels to lend a hand. By pre-ordering my new album you're directly supporting independent music-making (and getting some cool swag to boot). Direct audience-to-artist support is the way of the future – no, the way of the present – an effective, grass-roots way to bridge the gap between dreams and reality. I hope you'll be part of it!

I'm excited about the new songs and tunes; everything is written and ready to record. I'm daring to believe that the music deserves the best treatment we can give it. If you share that faith, you can pre-order the album in one of five ways: be a Helping Hand ($25), a Jumpstarter ($50), a Mover and Shaker ($100), a Heavy Lifter ($250), or a Force of Nature ($500). All pre-orders come with my sincere gratitude and good karma for supporting independent music (plus other great perks outlined below).

Thank you so much for coming along on this adventure!

Onwards!

James

Instructions: To pre-order James' new album, please click on one of the options below. You will be directed to a secure page at the Ukulele in the Classroom online store where you can complete your pre-order in minutes using credit card, PayPal or snail-mail cheque. Your pre-order will be confirmed promptly by email.

Be a Helping Hand. A $25 pre-order gets you:

1 autographed copy of the album in advance of the official release date.